If your house currently has any code violations issued by your local government agency, it can complicate the selling process. Code violations indicate that something about the property is not up to the minimum safety or quality standards as per the building codes in your city or county. As a seller, you will need to resolve these violations before selling to avoid penalties and ensure you get the best price for your property.
The first step is to get in touch with your local code enforcement office to understand the exact violations in detail. Meet with them, if possible, to review the violations and determine the steps needed to resolve them. Code enforcement software and documents should have all the details on file about the notices issued for your property. Ask as many questions as needed to gain clarity on what needs to be done. It may help to get the solutions in writing to avoid confusion. Take the time to understand thoroughly the code requirements and ensure any repairs meet or exceed expectations. The last thing you want is to do work that does not adequately address the violations.
Not all code violations are equally severe. Some may just require minor repairs or modifications to resolve, while others can be more significant and expensive to fix. As the seller, evaluate each violation and potential solutions based on the following:
Meet with your real estate agent to review the code violations and determine the best options based on your timeline to sell the property. Some options to consider include:
For any significant repair work required to resolve violations, make sure proper permits are obtained from the code enforcement agency before starting work. Once repairs are completed, call for re-inspections to verify all issues have been fixed properly. Get final approvals in documented writing to provide to buyers as evidence the property now meets code requirements.
With the code issues now resolved, you can move ahead confidently with lining up a qualified buyer for your home! Be prepared to provide permits and re-inspection reports to show the necessary repairs were done, and that any code violations have been cleared. While the process may be time-consuming, ensuring any code issues are addressed will help prevent future problems with the sale of your property. With paperwork in hand to prove your home meets regulations, potential buyers can now consider the house based solely on the merits of the property itself.